Reborn Luna and Her Cursed Lycan

Prologue

My father's hand shook as he handed me the old parchment. "This," he croaked, his voice filled with an odd sense of importance. "This is what you will leave behind, Dionne."

I creased my forehead. What is the inheritance left behind? The ancient writing seemed to be floating in front of me, resembling an old, dusty agreement. "What is that?" I inquired hesitantly as I carefully unfolded the fragile paper.

A slight grin briefly appeared on Dad's face, the first one I had witnessed in weeks. "It's your inherent right, darling. Evidence of what's meant to happen in your future."

Future? My existence was filled with working as a waitress and eating ramen noodles, not receiving predictions and inheriting entitlements. "Dad, what are you saying?"

His hand squeezed mine tightly, catching me off guard. "This is an agreement, Dionne. It ties you to the Alpha."

Even in our tiny village, located on the outskirts of the Fae's land, rumors of the mysterious ruler, Alpha Kai made their way to us. He embodied power, a mystical and enigmatic being.

"Why does the Alpha have any interest in me?" I laughed as the absurdity hit me.

Father moved nearer, lowering his voice to speak in a secretive tone. "Since you're unique, Dionne, the Mark is yours."

What is the mark? I was confused. Looking at my hands, I tried to find a secret symbol, but all I saw were the familiar rough hands that had been holding spatulas for a long time.

"It's barely noticeable," Dad added, his voice filled with wonder, "But it exists. The Alpha is able to detect it."

The strangeness of the situation caused dizziness in my head. My father, a hater of all things magical, was now talking about destiny and mysterious symbols.

"Father, do you feel alright?" I put my hand on his forehead, anticipating a temperature.

Fire flashed in his eyes as he pushed my hand aside. "Hear me, Dionne. This agreement... it ensures your upcoming riches, influence and all your desires fulfilled."

I felt a sudden lurch in my stomach. He understood my desire for a change, something other than the diner and the routine of money exchanging hands. But agreeing to a deal with the Alpha? Everything seemed too surreal, too perfect to be real.

"What about love though?" I exclaimed abruptly. "Father, you consistently mentioned that love prevails over everything."

He let out a bitter laugh from his mouth, "Sweetheart, we cannot afford the luxury of love. This agreement is your passport to freedom. An opportunity to the life you are worthy of."

I felt a deep pain in my heart. Father, always practical, never comprehended my desire for romance. Is there more to life than just working at a diner? The proposition was very appealing.

However, a persistent doubt lingered in my thoughts. What was the reason for his silence on this matter earlier? Why at this moment, when he appeared so... desperate?

"Dad," I questioned, my voice tense, "Why are you unexpectedly bringing this up now?"

His jaw was tightly clenched as he looked away from me. "The Alpha's beta is coming tomorrow. You must ready yourself."

I gasped, unable to breathe. What? Is living in luxury worth it? Or maybe something more sinister, was there something he was withholding from me?

The parchment seemed weighty as I held it, representing a future that was unclear to me. Could it be love or fate, riches or deception? As the night descended, and long shadows stretched over the worn diner floor, I had a feeling that my life was on the brink of a big change.

But nothing at all could have prepared me for what was coming.

Chapter 1

"I, Alpha of Crystal River pack, reject you, Dionne Warwick, as my mate."

The announcement lingered in the lavish hall, causing my heart's moon to shatter.

My breath caught, the smile I had been carefully practicing all day disappearing.

The room hummed with whispers, gasps, and a shared moment of shock.

However, all that registered with me was the reverberation of his words, a chilly, definitive rejection.

Alpha Kai was standing across the room, illuminated by moonlight coming through a large arched window.

He was tall and commanding, exuding a sense of primal strength, like a wild wolf.

My father stuttered, his voice breaking, as he said, "B-but Alpha. The agreement..."

A subtle rumble came from Alpha Kai, causing a chill to run down my back.

"The agreement," he stated, his tone smooth and intimidating, "ensured your daughter's position next to me, not as my partner. There is a difference, Elder Warwick."

My father, typically calm and collected, appeared to diminish under Alpha Kai's stare. "But... your beta... he mentioned..."

"My beta is too enthusiastic," Alpha Kai interrupted, briefly glancing towards me with his eyes. A brief glimmer of something... irritation? Was I an inconvenience to him?

Anger, which had been brewing for a long time, finally erupted.

I was not merely an unidentified girl brought in under a contract. "Sorry, Alpha," I interrupted, my voice tense yet steady. "Do you not think I should have a say in this matter?"

Everyone's gaze shifted towards me. I straightened my posture, suppressing the shake in my hands. "The agreement requires a partnership. There is no element of a coerced connection."

Tension rippled through the room. The Alpha's counselors, imposing figures in their robes adorned with wolf designs, shared concerned looks.

Alpha Kai kept his gaze fixed on me. "What do you suggest, Miss Warwick?" he asked in a lazy tone, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

I said, giving my voice more power, "a chance that is fair. Allow the bond to develop organically. Allow me to demonstrate my worth."

He observed me intensely for an extended, excruciating period of time. The tension in the room was so thick that it felt like it was harder to breathe than the incense burning in the corner.

"Okay," he finally admitted with a slight smirk on his lips.

"You will get an opportunity. However, Miss Warwick, I must caution you that the Crystal River Pack does not accept any sign of weakness."

A feeling of relief swept through me, briefly overshadowing the pain of being rejected. "Thank you, Alpha," I said, nodding my head respectfully.

"Don't thank me just yet," he growled in a low voice. "This is just the beginning."

I wasn't sure about the start of anything. However, it was clear that my time working at the diner was now a long-gone recollection.

*

After the meeting, I left to clear my head and to take a walk around. The pack surroundings are full of life, pups ran around playing while their parents screamed for them to come back.

Thinking about my now turned life, I realised I am in the midst of a wolf pack, a woman among strong shapeshifters, connected to a hesitant Alpha by an agreement, and a hint of rebelliousness.

While the whisper of chatter picked up again, I couldn't stop thinking about whether I desired the denial or the unknown fate ahead of me.

Next to me, a gentle voice softly murmured, "Luna." I looked at a woman with silver hair tied up in a tight bun, her eyes showing worry. "I'm Luna Selene, the Alpha's former mate, and offered a reassuring smile."

"Dionne," I quickly amended, uncertain if I would ever feel at ease with being called Luna and besides I wasn't Luna yet. "Nice to meet you."

"It's not nice at all," she said, her voice filled with bitterness. "This pack harbors resentments. And they are ruthless towards those who do not conform."

I felt a surge of fear after hearing what she said. Was the doubt visible in my eyes to her? Was she aware that this was a battle I couldn't conquer?

"I will have to show them they are mistaken," I stated with surprising composure.

Luna's eyes grew larger, a spark of admiration taking the place of the concern.

"I love the attitude, Dionne," she remarked, her tone more gentle, "But, keep in mind that the moon governs this pack. And my dear, the moon is always changing."

The mysterious words she spoke lingered even as she walked further away.

"Greetings, Luna Dionne," another woman said cheerfully, her voice oozing with sugary delight.

I turned slightly to stare at her, her eyes glinting with a spark I can't get a grasp of.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance," I stated, attempting to convey a sense of fitting in that I didn't completely experience.

"Don't fret, Luna," Kathryn, the girl who had just joined me during the walk, clasped my hand with a little too much pressure. "I will assist you in finding your way through the group."

I couldn't ignore the subtle hint of something different in her eyes, despite her warm and wide smile. Is there some sort of contempt?

I noticed Alpha Kai from the distance, watching me with a touch of curiosity in his golden eyes.

"Having a tough day?" Kathryn questioned, and I could tell she noticed the Alpha Kai staring at me intently.

"I suppose you could say that," I sighed, lowering myself onto a bench that was close by.

Sitting next to me, Kathryn handed me a bottle of water.

"The Alpha isn't suitable for everyone." She said softly.

"That's why I have to try." I replied. "This is why I'm here. And it's for a purpose."

Kathryn gently placed her hand on mine for reassurance. "You," she exclaimed, her voice becoming more powerful, "you should have something better than this rough, moody Alpha."

I felt my heart skip a beat. Did she imply...? We were already by the river side now, far away from the prying eyes of the villagers.

"You see," she added, speaking in a secretive tone, "There are additional packs out there. Packs containing Alphas who prioritize kindness and admire intelligence."

I was consumed by doubt. Was Alpha Kai simply an arrogant individual wearing a wolf skin?

"I suppose you're right," I muttered, feeling completely confused.

Kathryn embraced me by putting an arm around me, drawing me near. "I'll take you to explore the world outside Crystal River," she whispered in an enticing tone. "Allow me to demonstrate a life where you are more than just the 'contract girl'."

A treacherous side of me desired to break free, to take a different route as we got to the river side. But, I couldn't overlook the subtle hint of something not quite right in Kathryn's words.

I started feeling a little bit of lingering doubt as the air got more chill, her eyes beaming expectantly.

"I, um, I thank you Kathryn, but..."

Suddenly, as I was about to complete my sentence, I felt a sharp and intense pain in my back, causing me to lose my breath.

I inhaled sharply, pivoting to face Kathryn, with my eyes wide in astonishment and betrayal.

Her once warm smile had now turned into a twisted expression of manic delight. "Do you think no you could convince him, young Luna?" she sneered, her voice filled with bitterness. "You used to be just a waitress, and that's all you'll ever amount to."

"Nobody," she whispered angrily, her voice filled with a cold certainty, "crosses Kathryn, and escapes unscathed."

She pushed me down, her body mounting over mine as she plunged the knife deeper into me.

The world came at me rapidly in a swirling haze, while my scream faded into a faint sound in the distance.

My eyes blurred further, causing tears to spring down as I thought of the what ifs. The final image I caught was her observing my unfortunate end